wildtuinman wrote:Cois, are you sure the tail is white and that it is not just the light shining through the tail?

Sure it is white. Have a photo (bad one) with both of them sitting together and one can clearly see that the one in the previous photo has the white feathers in the tail while the other one does not. Maybe new tail feathers growing out? as in the photo one can also see that the shape of the tail tip differ.

Am having problems with Flickr at the moment so cannot upload the image. As soon as I manage to upload the pic I'll post it here

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Cois, I've gone through the Robert's field guide now. I see it mentions a distinct white eye-ring and black loral spot. The loral spot is only visible at close range though. And to worsen the effect, the Grey Tit-Flycatcher also has a dark spot on the loral area which could throw one off.

The tails are mentioned as another point of difference, but as in the case of your pictures, one can easily be confused with it.

The main thing to me, and this is only after looking at these two species in field guides and on www.birdpics.co.za is that the eye-ring seems to be more of perfect little white ring present at the Ashy Flycatcher.

Your bird picture as well as the one from Jock shows this eye-ring quality.

Robert's also notes that the upright posture of the Ashy Flycatcher contrasts to the frequently fanned tail feathers and flicking of the tail from side to side and is the best feature to go on to distinguish the two species from each other.

Francoisd - looking at your picture is that not a Grey Tit Flycatcher. According to my book (Sasol third edition) the Grey Tit has a dark tail with white outers. Also has a plain face. The Ashy has a black and white loral stripes.

Cheers Her Highness Jockelina

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Definitely an Ashy Flycatcher. The pic was taken in very bad light but the black & white lore can be seen in some of the other photos.

Also ID'ed them on their call.

I'm having problems getting into Flickr so cannot post the photo with both birds in the frame. The bird above is the only one with the "white" tail feathers, and the shape of the tail is also different so I am thinking that it might be new feathers.

I did email the photo to WTM so maybe he has some luck in getting up here. If and when I get into Flickr I'll also post a photo that shows the lore better (photo is out of focus so I'll see what Photoshop can do)

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